[Reprint From CBS News. Since this is a reprint of a CBS News post, not an original post, allow me to say that I disagree with many of the characterizations presented in this piece. Overall, I think that this article lacks balance, and amounts to a “smear” against the citizens of Ferguson, especially its Black Community. It is my intention to post random news reports leading up to, and after, the Grand Jury decision is handed down. Personally, I want “justice” for the family of Mr Michael Brown, not a whitewash of the case.]

CBS News, November 18, 2014, 1:04 AM

FBI: Violence could follow Ferguson indictment decision

The FBI has issued an intelligence bulletin to state and local partners urging them to be aware of the potential for violent protests after the Ferguson, Missouri grand jury issues its decision on whether or not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. That decision is expected in the next week or so.

The FBI warns that the announcement of the grand jury’s decision “will likely be exploited by some individuals to justify threats and attacks against law enforcement and critical infrastructure,” according to the bulletin.

The bulletin, which went out last Friday, is not based on intelligence or specific threats, but rather on “observed criminal and violent activity” in the weeks after Brown’s death, a law enforcement official told CBS News’ Bob Orr.

“Internet postings have called for violence against police,” noted the official who told CBS News about the bulletin, calling the alert to law enforcement officers a “common sense” move taken out of an abundance of caution.

Wilson, a white police officer, shot Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black male, in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson on Aug. 9.

On Monday, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in advance of a grand jury decision, also fearing the tense street clashes between police and protesters which have manifested since the incident could rekindle, and possibly get violent.

“My hope and expectation is that peace will prevail,” Nixon said. “But we have a responsibility — I have a responsibility — to plan for any contingencies that might arise.”

There is no specific date for a decision to be revealed about whether Wilson should face charges for shooting Brown. The St. Louis County prosecutor has said he expects the grand jury to reach a decision in mid-to-late November.

New video evidence was released over the weekend in the case, adding to already heightened tensions.

New audio recordings of police radio communication before and after the teenager’s shooting and video released over the weekend are helping establish a timeline of events, but they fail to answer many crucial questions about what actually occurred.

The video shows Wilson leaving the Ferguson police department hours after he shot Brown. He is seemingly uninjured — a contradiction to what police originally said, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

“If you got a blowout, a fracture to your eye socket, you’re not just going to be walking around holding your eye,” said Ben Crump, the Brown family’s attorney. “We don’t see him holding his eye anywhere in that video.”

The encounter between Wilson and Brown took less than 90 seconds, leading to months of protests.

Police radio communications, obtained by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, shed more light on the events of Aug. 9.

“21. Put me on Canfield with two. And send me another car,” Wilson could be heard saying.

Wilson first approached Michael Brown shortly after 12:02 p.m. Less than 90 seconds later, Brown was shot and another officer radioed for back-up.

“Get us several more units over here,” a police officer said. “There’s going to be a problem.”

Tensions flare in Ferguson, Mo., over police shooting

On Sunday, protesters braved the cold and snow on the streets of St. Louis lying down in chalk outlines of bodies and blocking traffic to commemorate 100 days since Brown’s death.

“We just wanted them to know that it doesn’t matter if the weather is bad, good, ugly. We’ll be out here because this means that much to us,” protester Rockit Ali said.

Demonstrators also targeted downtown Clayton Monday, blocking traffic at several intersections before marching to the county Justice Center. That’s where the grand jury has been meeting behind closed doors since late August. No arrests were reported.

The protests are a far cry from the turmoil that shook this city and the nation only months ago, and there’s fear that violence could resurface as a grand jury decides whether to indict the officer responsible for shooting the unarmed teen.

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Barabas, Dearly Missed

In Remembrance Of ‘Barabas The Brave’

"There was a trough of bodily fluids and maggots, and whenever he shook his head, maggots would fly out.

And he was so hungry that he would actually eat the maggots that flew off--and bits of his ear, like the cartilage and everything, were flying off, as well.

He was in a very poor condition--it was very understandable that he was in a lot of pain."

--Dr I-Lynn, Attending Veterinarian

They named him 'Barabas the Brave'--the dog with an unbreakable spirit.

His story is that of a cruelly neglected and abused dog who spent his first twelve years in hellish conditions. That is, until his owners finally surrendered him to a rescue organization to be euthanized, or disposed of like a piece of garbage.

Fortunately, his rescuers came to recognize Barabas' strong will to live.

And expeditiously, a dedicated team of veterinarians, volunteer rescue workers, and the President of "Save Our Street Dogs" (SOSD) began the long process of treating his severe malnutrition, maggot wounds, and the chronic ear infection which left him with a malformed ear canal--giving Barabas the 'Second Chance' that he wanted, and so richly deserved.

In addition to these "long unattended to" medical issues, some time in the past, he had clearly suffered an untreated sternum fracture. The fracture appeared to have resulted from him having been violently kicked in the chest, leaving his chest plate forever deformed.

Barabas received intensive medical care for many months, spending almost two years in the loving care of the rescue organization, "Save Our Street Dogs."

Eight of those months were spent in the personal care of the President of SOSD, Dr. Sieh Tuck Wah, a medical doctor. This included the last month or so of Barabas' life, when he was no longer able to walk due to his severely painful and debilitating arthritic condition, and was returned to Dr. Wah's home so that he could once again receive very intensive and specialized medical care.

"He never found a forever home, but he was loved by all at SOSD." . . . There he was able "to live his remaining days out in dignity and comfort. . . . Barabas departed in the embrace of love."

He died peacefully on June 9 , 2014, at the age of 14.

[Quote above is an excerpt from the SOSD Instagram account.]

*******

This is the story of one dog's "fierce fight, and will to live."

Through it all, Barabas unfailingly demonstrated raw courage in the face of tremendous pain, continually drawing upon a deep reservoir of resilience as he faced new medical challenges.

His ability to harness these traits when needed, not only transformed his life, but also profoundly affected the lives of the many wonderful SOSD volunteers and medical staff who worked so diligently to heal him.

It is the awe-inspiring story of the restoration of one dog's spirit--brought about, in part, by the enduring and healing power of love.

It is 'the Legacy of Barabas.'

*******

My heartfelt thanks to the dedicated medical staff and many rescue workers who "saved" Barabas, giving him the opportunity to live out his last years in a wonderful, safe, and loving environment.

Special mention of Dr. Song I-Lynn, Dr. Christopher Tham, and all the Staff of Jireh Veterinary Clinic for the excellent veterinary care they provided Barabas.

Thanks to Ms. Uma Kr for her assistance rescuing Barabas.

Also, a very special thanks to the President of "Save Our Street Dogs," Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, for his ongoing leadership, commitment, and generous contribution of his medical expertise to the cause of rescuing and caring for Singapore's homeless stray dogs.

And lastly, thanks to all of the kind, compassionate, and dedicated professional and volunteer SOSD personnel who showered Barabas with the most precious gift of all--the gift of love.

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Favorite Quotes

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
----George Bernard Shaw
Irish Dramatist & Socialist (1856-1950)

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
----Will Rogers, Actor & Social Commentator

"Love makes you stronger, so that you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone."
----Author Unknown, SOSD Website

"Every time I lose a dog, he takes a piece of my heart. Every new dog gifts me with a piece of his. Someday, my heart will be total dog, and maybe then I will be just as generous, loving, and forgiving."
----Author Unknown

"Courage is fear that has said its prayers."
----Dorothy Bernard

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
----Helen Keller

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them."
----Frederick Douglass, Social Reformer, Orator, Writer, and Statesman

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
----Gilda Radner, Comedienne